EVALUATION OF HEMATURIA, PROTEINURIA, AND HYPERTENSION IN ADOLESCENTS

Although renal disorders are relatively uncommon in adolescents, signs or symptoms of renal disease in an adolescent inevitably causes great concern. Adolescents are susceptible to many of the same urinary trac t disorders that can present early in childhood. Evidence of renal dis ease in an adolescent deserves prompt attention and appropriate evalua tion. The key issue in the evaluation of hematuria or proteinuria in a n adolescent is the existence of concomitant signs of renal disease. F or hematuria and proteinuria, discussion of a proper evaluation is pre sented. Even though most teens With persistent elevated blood pressure s have essential hypertension, this must be considered a serious conce rn with potential life-long consequences. A discussion of the definiti on of hypertension and proper evaluation and treatment in adolescents is presented.